About the Office

Office of the Sheriff
The Office of Sheriff in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is authorized and established by the Constitution of 1784 and the current revisions under which our State Government now operates. This Constitution provides that a Sheriff shall be elected in each county for a four year term, and that his powers, duties and compensation be prescribed by law. The first election of a Sheriff in Montgomery County was held in 1789, and regular elections have ever since.

The Sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer of the County under the Pennsylvania Constitution. While most police work is now done by local and state police, the Sheriff's broad powers authorize he and his deputies to enforce the law.

The Sheriff's Office is called upon during riots, prison breaches, strikes, and other emergencies which are or may be a breach of the peace. In those instances, he is empowered to call upon all able-bodied adults.

Duties

Among the duties of the Sheriff are service of all writs both criminal and civil issued by the Courts. Transportation of prisoners throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and extraditions from other states for the purpose of court proceedings. The Sheriff also issues permits for firearms and conducts sale of real and personal property at the request of litigants, including the city, county and state. Other duties and services available from the sheriff department include bomb disposal unit, (C.E.R.T.) County Emergency Response Team, the operation of five (5) Driving Under the Influence Processing Centers, "TRIAD" program for senior citizens as well as the well known D.A.R.E. program for school children and major sponsor of Camp Cadet for boys and girls 11-14 years of age.

StaffThere are approximately 130 staff members in the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, including deputy sheriffs, administrative personnel, and clerical staff.